Whitchurch-on-Thames

Civil Parish in Oxfordshire South Oxfordshire

England

Whitchurch-on-Thames

The Swan, Pangbourne As the writing on the wall makes clear, this riverside pub on Shooter&#039;s Hill is believed to date from 1642. Internally it is surprisingly large with a number of separate areas and there is a terrace overlooking the Thames on the other side. The pub gets a mention in Jerome K Jerome&#039;s classic &#039;Three Men in a Boat&#039; - it was here that they abandoned their boat in the last chapter before getting a train to London for a good meal. According to one story, the county boundary between Berkshire and Oxfordshire used to pass through the building necessitating two separate licences and different closing times for each half of the bar. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4642616">SU6376 : The Swan Inn, Pangbourne</a> for a wider view. — The Swan, Pangbourne Credit: Stephen McKay

Whitchurch-on-Thames is a civil parish located in the county of Oxfordshire, England. Situated on the banks of the River Thames, it is a picturesque village known for its natural beauty and historical significance. The parish covers an area of approximately 2.4 square miles and is home to a population of around 1,500 residents.

The village is surrounded by stunning countryside, with rolling hills and meadows that offer excellent opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and birdwatching. The River Thames, which borders the village, provides a tranquil setting for boating and fishing enthusiasts.

Whitchurch-on-Thames has a rich history that dates back to the Roman era, and evidence of this can be seen in the form of ancient artifacts and archaeological sites. The village also boasts several historical landmarks, including the 13th-century St. Mary's Church, which features beautiful stained glass windows and a Norman tower.

In terms of amenities, Whitchurch-on-Thames has a primary school, a village hall, and a local pub, providing a close-knit community atmosphere. The village is well-connected to nearby towns and cities, with regular bus services and easy access to major road networks.

Overall, Whitchurch-on-Thames offers a charming and peaceful setting for residents and visitors alike, with its idyllic riverside location, rich history, and stunning natural surroundings.

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Whitchurch-on-Thames Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.495328/-1.074281 or Grid Reference SU6477. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Swan, Pangbourne As the writing on the wall makes clear, this riverside pub on Shooter&#039;s Hill is believed to date from 1642. Internally it is surprisingly large with a number of separate areas and there is a terrace overlooking the Thames on the other side. The pub gets a mention in Jerome K Jerome&#039;s classic &#039;Three Men in a Boat&#039; - it was here that they abandoned their boat in the last chapter before getting a train to London for a good meal. According to one story, the county boundary between Berkshire and Oxfordshire used to pass through the building necessitating two separate licences and different closing times for each half of the bar. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4642616">SU6376 : The Swan Inn, Pangbourne</a> for a wider view.

The Swan, Pangbourne

As the writing on the wall makes clear, this riverside pub on Shooter's Hill is believed to date from 1642. Internally it is surprisingly large with a number of separate areas and there is a terrace overlooking the Thames on the other side. The pub gets a mention in Jerome K Jerome's classic 'Three Men in a Boat' - it was here that they abandoned their boat in the last chapter before getting a train to London for a good meal. According to one story, the county boundary between Berkshire and Oxfordshire used to pass through the building necessitating two separate licences and different closing times for each half of the bar. See SU6376 : The Swan Inn, Pangbourne for a wider view.

Weirpool, Pangbourne This large house overlooking the River Thames at Pangbourne - just below the weir - dates from about 1650 although there were alterations and additions in around 1900. It is grade II listed.

Weirpool, Pangbourne

This large house overlooking the River Thames at Pangbourne - just below the weir - dates from about 1650 although there were alterations and additions in around 1900. It is grade II listed.

To the station at Pangbourne This access road leads up from Shooter&#039;s Hill to Pangbourne station and then back down again - the loop sensibly designated as a one way street. The Great Western Railway buildings, iron railings and mock gas lamps all help to create a slightly olde-world atmosphere despite a few modern intrusions.

To the station at Pangbourne

This access road leads up from Shooter's Hill to Pangbourne station and then back down again - the loop sensibly designated as a one way street. The Great Western Railway buildings, iron railings and mock gas lamps all help to create a slightly olde-world atmosphere despite a few modern intrusions.

Under the railway at Pangbourne The bridge that connects Shooter&#039;s Hill with Station Road under the Great Western main line railway has a separate pedestrian subway section that is partly lined with white glazed bricks. It could be an unpleasant spot but in well-heeled Pangbourne it is kept acceptably clean and tidy with a refreshing absence of graffiti.

Under the railway at Pangbourne

The bridge that connects Shooter's Hill with Station Road under the Great Western main line railway has a separate pedestrian subway section that is partly lined with white glazed bricks. It could be an unpleasant spot but in well-heeled Pangbourne it is kept acceptably clean and tidy with a refreshing absence of graffiti.

Pangbourne village sign This well-maintained village sign stands adjacent to the village hall car park. It depicts Bertwulf, King of Mercia, who was granted land here in AD844.

Pangbourne village sign

This well-maintained village sign stands adjacent to the village hall car park. It depicts Bertwulf, King of Mercia, who was granted land here in AD844.

The Cross Keys, Pangbourne This Church Road pub is part of the Greene King estate and has a rear garden on the banks of the River Pang. The building dates from the early to mid 18th century, with 19th century alterations and additions, and is grade II listed.

The Cross Keys, Pangbourne

This Church Road pub is part of the Greene King estate and has a rear garden on the banks of the River Pang. The building dates from the early to mid 18th century, with 19th century alterations and additions, and is grade II listed.

Meadowside Road, Pangbourne Semi-detached houses of an unusual design in this residential part of Pangbourne.

Meadowside Road, Pangbourne

Semi-detached houses of an unusual design in this residential part of Pangbourne.

Path to Tidmarsh The path heads out of Pangbourne to accompany the River Pang which it crosses further along by means of a footbridge. Recent rain has left underfoot conditions very muddy in places.

Path to Tidmarsh

The path heads out of Pangbourne to accompany the River Pang which it crosses further along by means of a footbridge. Recent rain has left underfoot conditions very muddy in places.

Scarecrows at Pangbourne These two characters and their bicycle are presumably there to protect the vegetable garden. Anyway, they are colourful and fun.

Scarecrows at Pangbourne

These two characters and their bicycle are presumably there to protect the vegetable garden. Anyway, they are colourful and fun.

River Thames, Pangbourne A number of vessels are moored here on the Pangbourne bank of the river just upstream from Whitchurch Bridge.

River Thames, Pangbourne

A number of vessels are moored here on the Pangbourne bank of the river just upstream from Whitchurch Bridge.

Whitchurch Bridge - toll booth The first bridge spanning the River Thames connecting Whitchurch to Pangbourne was built in 1792; at the same time the toll house (seen here in the background) was constructed at the northern end of the bridge. The original timber bridge was replaced with another wooden bridge of a different design in 1853. That in turn was replaced with an iron bridge in 1902 which was strengthened in the 1920s. A fourth bridge was built in 2014 with a similar visual appearance to the 1902 bridge but better able to cope with modern traffic conditions. The bridge remains privately owned, changing hands for the first time in 2019 when it was sold to the General Estates Company Ltd; nevertheless it carries a classified road, the B471. The toll booth dates from 1992 and the current charge for cars is 60p.

Whitchurch Bridge - toll booth

The first bridge spanning the River Thames connecting Whitchurch to Pangbourne was built in 1792; at the same time the toll house (seen here in the background) was constructed at the northern end of the bridge. The original timber bridge was replaced with another wooden bridge of a different design in 1853. That in turn was replaced with an iron bridge in 1902 which was strengthened in the 1920s. A fourth bridge was built in 2014 with a similar visual appearance to the 1902 bridge but better able to cope with modern traffic conditions. The bridge remains privately owned, changing hands for the first time in 2019 when it was sold to the General Estates Company Ltd; nevertheless it carries a classified road, the B471. The toll booth dates from 1992 and the current charge for cars is 60p.

The Greyhound, Whitchurch-on-Thames One of two pubs in the village, the Greyhound was first recorded as a public house in 1831 and was converted by Blatch&#039;s Brewery of Theale, Berkshire from cottage properties; further major alterations were made in 1879. It is believed that the building may have been occupied at one time by a ferryman, although this would presumably have been before 1792 when the bridge was opened. Blatch&#039;s pub estate of 22 houses was absorbed by Ind Coope in 1965 and since 2021 the Greyhound has been part of Oak Taverns Group.

The Greyhound, Whitchurch-on-Thames

One of two pubs in the village, the Greyhound was first recorded as a public house in 1831 and was converted by Blatch's Brewery of Theale, Berkshire from cottage properties; further major alterations were made in 1879. It is believed that the building may have been occupied at one time by a ferryman, although this would presumably have been before 1792 when the bridge was opened. Blatch's pub estate of 22 houses was absorbed by Ind Coope in 1965 and since 2021 the Greyhound has been part of Oak Taverns Group.

Eastfield House, Pangbourne Surrounded by Heras fencing and boarded up, Eastfield House operated as a care home until its closure in 2016. As is usually the case with derelict properties like this, there is a long history of planning wrangles that are still not resolved. The owner is Majesticare and the house was registered to provide accommodation for 27 residents; the company first applied to demolish the building in 2014 but this was rejected. Despite obtaining permission (on appeal) in 2016 to build an extension that would increase the provision to 45 bedrooms, Majesticare then announced that the building was unsuitable for continued use as a care home for several reasons amongst which was the impossibility of providing en-suite facilities for all of the bedrooms. Their new proposal was for a completely new building in a similar red brick style that would have a larger basement to accommodate a kitchen and laundry. This was again refused by South Oxfordshire District Council on the grounds that it could adversely affect the conservation area and could harm two protected trees on the site. That decision was reported early in 2019 and three years later nothing appears to have happened except that, no doubt, the building is gradually deteriorating. This must surely be an unsatisfactory state of affairs for all concerned.

Eastfield House, Pangbourne

Surrounded by Heras fencing and boarded up, Eastfield House operated as a care home until its closure in 2016. As is usually the case with derelict properties like this, there is a long history of planning wrangles that are still not resolved. The owner is Majesticare and the house was registered to provide accommodation for 27 residents; the company first applied to demolish the building in 2014 but this was rejected. Despite obtaining permission (on appeal) in 2016 to build an extension that would increase the provision to 45 bedrooms, Majesticare then announced that the building was unsuitable for continued use as a care home for several reasons amongst which was the impossibility of providing en-suite facilities for all of the bedrooms. Their new proposal was for a completely new building in a similar red brick style that would have a larger basement to accommodate a kitchen and laundry. This was again refused by South Oxfordshire District Council on the grounds that it could adversely affect the conservation area and could harm two protected trees on the site. That decision was reported early in 2019 and three years later nothing appears to have happened except that, no doubt, the building is gradually deteriorating. This must surely be an unsatisfactory state of affairs for all concerned.

Muddy Lane, Whitchurch-on-Thames No doubt a local name that has been officially adopted, Muddy Lane seems appropriate following a period of heavy rainfall.

Muddy Lane, Whitchurch-on-Thames

No doubt a local name that has been officially adopted, Muddy Lane seems appropriate following a period of heavy rainfall.

Coombeside Cottage, Whitchurch-on-Thames Somehow reminiscent of a doll&#039;s house, this building, originally two cottages now one, is dated by Historic England as &#039;probably late 18th century&#039; although other sources suggest 1820. The gothic-style windows are a distinctive feature although the one above the doors has been painted on the wall. At one time one of the cottages served as the village post office. It is grade II listed.

Coombeside Cottage, Whitchurch-on-Thames

Somehow reminiscent of a doll's house, this building, originally two cottages now one, is dated by Historic England as 'probably late 18th century' although other sources suggest 1820. The gothic-style windows are a distinctive feature although the one above the doors has been painted on the wall. At one time one of the cottages served as the village post office. It is grade II listed.

War memorial in the churchyard of St James Church Pangbourne

War memorial in the churchyard of St James Church Pangbourne

Pangbourne Station - subway Pedestrian subways can often be dismal places to be scurried through as quickly as possible but here at Pangbourne station a real effort has been made to brighten things up. According to a BBC report, the idea came from Helen Stock who works in the ticket office. The Bee Friendly Trust came up with the design for a mural and it was painted by the Mural Artists, a group of street artists. It is, of course, also a reminder of the vital role bees play in ecosystems.

Pangbourne Station - subway

Pedestrian subways can often be dismal places to be scurried through as quickly as possible but here at Pangbourne station a real effort has been made to brighten things up. According to a BBC report, the idea came from Helen Stock who works in the ticket office. The Bee Friendly Trust came up with the design for a mural and it was painted by the Mural Artists, a group of street artists. It is, of course, also a reminder of the vital role bees play in ecosystems.

Pangbourne Station Pangbourne is one of the intermediate stations between Reading and Didcot Parkway. It only has platforms on the relief lines and this view shows the buildings on the down (westbound) side which have an unmistakeable Great Western Railway style.

Pangbourne Station

Pangbourne is one of the intermediate stations between Reading and Didcot Parkway. It only has platforms on the relief lines and this view shows the buildings on the down (westbound) side which have an unmistakeable Great Western Railway style.

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Whitchurch-on-Thames is located at Grid Ref: SU6477 (Lat: 51.495328, Lng: -1.074281)

Administrative County: Oxfordshire

District: South Oxfordshire

Police Authority: Thames Valley

What 3 Words

///sticky.castle.sector. Near Pangbourne, Berkshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.495328,-1.074281

Bench

Backrest: yes

Check Date: 2021-06-06

Lat/Long: 51.4934525/-1.0780426

Bench

Backrest: yes

Lat/Long: 51.4936448/-1.0756354

Equation of Time

Historic: memorial

Memorial: plaque

Lat/Long: 51.4936893/-1.0753643

Bench

Backrest: no

Lat/Long: 51.4927853/-1.0791667

The Whitchurch Maze

Information: board

Tourism: information

Lat/Long: 51.4928729/-1.0795918

Direction: 170

Generator Method: photovoltaic

Generator Output Electricity: yes

Generator Solar Modules: 16

Generator Source: solar

Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel

Location: roof

Power: generator

Lat/Long: 51.4938965/-1.0783567

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Whitchurch Urban Shropshire

Whitcombe Dorset

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